Nippon Budokan

The Nippon Budokan (日本武道館) is one of the most famous arena in Japan, located in Chiyoda a district of Tokyo. It was meant to be a place for judo competition during the 1964 Summer Olympics, hence the name means Martial Arts Hall. It has a capacity of 14,201 people.

Contents

History

Despite the Budokan being build to held martial arts events, The Beatles were the first to held a concert there and their appearance their was met with opposition, as Japanese people believed that it would defile the martial arts. Despite this happening, after their concert, more western and even Japanese acts came to Budokan and it turned out to be one of the most famous arenas in Japan with most of Japanese acts held their tour finale there.

Concert History

December 31st, 1999 - Fuji Fumiya held the first countdown live, and it was been held here annually until 2008.

July 25th/26th, 2002 - RIP SLYME became the first J-Hip-Hop act to sing there. The first day was a normal concert, while the second day was a free concert available only for those who bought their album TOKYO CLASSIC.

March 10th, 2003 - The Rolling Stones held their first concert at the Budokan, since they were prohibited to play in Japan in 1973, due to a legal battle over drugs.